Track for track laying vehicles



H. A. KNOX EI' AL TRACK FOR TRACK LAYING VEHICLES Filed June 5, 1935 will!!! VAH Q n m dWA 3% am H Patented Aug. 10, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TRACK FOB'TMGK LAYING VEHICLES Harry A. Knox. Washington, D. 0., and Richard ILJSomers, United States Army, Mickleton,

Application June 5. 1935. Serial No. 25,092

2 Claims.

(Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as mended April 30, 1928: 3'10 0. G. 757) A further object is'to provide means for holding the link pins against independent rotational movement which will also serve to longitudinally space the shoes of the track.

To these and other ends, the invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of elements described hereinafter and pointed out in the claims iorming a part of this specification.

Ajpractical embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a portion of the lower flight of a track constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figs. 2 and 3 are sectional views on the corresponding lines of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing by characters of reference, the track comprises a double row of shoes A connected in spaced relation by link 13 mounted on link pins C.

The shoes are all identical and symmetrica and each consists of a. block oi rubber or similar material. The link pins C-C passlng'trans versely through opposite ends of the block are arranged for a limited rotational displacement in any manner known to the art. One arrange- 0 turned ends are the sole means holding the adlink pins. The shank ll of the bolt passes through the link and receives a nut l2. This connection holds the link in place and locks the associated link pins against independent rotational movement.

The grooves III are formed perpendicularly to 5 the plane containing the longitudinal axis of each link pin of a shoe so that it is immaterial it either one of adjacent shoes is reversed -or turned about. The inclination of the opposite faces l3--i3 ot the wedge-shaped head determines the angular relation of assembly oi adjacent shoes as shown in Fig. 2. The angle of assembly is about 'I to 8 degrees which is onehalf the total angle of flection in passing around the wheels of the vehicle.

The turned ends 8 of the links constitute driving lugs for taking the drive from a sprocket wheel. Each side of the link is formed with a flange l4 which is centrally extended into an upstanding wheel guide IS. The flange also extends beyond the extremities of the turned ends and terminates in enlarged ends Iii-I6.

The assembly is eflected by bringing adjacent shoes together, mounting one of the turned ends of a link on a link pin of one shoe and then link pins extending laterally through opposite ends of each pair of shoes and fixed against withdrawal therefrom, a link detachably engaging adjoining link pins of adjacent pairs of shoes at the portion of the pins between the laterally spaced pairs, and means carried by the link and engaging the pins to longitudinally space the pairs of shoes and hold the link pins against independent angular movement.

2. In a track for track-laying vehicles, a se- 40 ries of laterally spaced pairs of shoes, resilient bushings secured in opposite ends of the shoes, a

pair of link pins extending laterally through opposite ends of each pair. of shoes and fixedly secured in the bushings, a link detachably engaging adjoining link pins of adjacent pairs of shoes at that portion of the pins between the laterally spaced pairs, and means carried by the linkand engaging the pins to longitudinally space the pairs of shoes.

- HARRY A. KNOX.

RICHARD H. SOMERS. 

